The Kilimian Association (Iran's Jewish community) expressed on Monday its condolences for the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
"We are full of sorrow and our eyes are weeping over the death of the holy Ebrahim Raisi, the president of the people and servant of the nation of Iran, along with other officials of Islam. Without a doubt, Iran's history will never forget the memory of the modest and dedicated president," the association said in a statement.
"Iran's Kilimian Association mourns the sudden loss of its president and other servants of the people who were killed. Along with all Iranians, we ask that the highest honor be bestowed upon the nobles of this land."
Last year, Chief Rabbi of Iran Yehuda Gerami met with Raisi during a religious meeting. Rabbi Gerami stood at the head of the rabbinical delegation, which included community leaders. The meeting focused on the Islamic revolution and its achievements for all religions.
President Raisi addressed Israel at the same meeting, saying, "Those who oppress the oppressed people in Palestine in the name of the Jews have no connection to the Jewish religion and the followers of the Prophet Moses today. Those who oppress people in any part of the world in the name of Christianity have no connection to Christianity, as all the prophets detested oppression."
Iranian TV reporting from the crash site
The Jewish community in Iran is one of the oldest Jewish centers in the world, with roots dating back 2,700 years. It is currently estimated to number about 9,000 members, following mass immigration to Israel. Before the 1979 Islamic revolution, the community once stood at about 100,000 Jews.
Many of them live in Tehran and Shiraz and work as merchants. Publicly, they support the regime, which grants them a protected minority status and guarantees them a seat in parliament. However, it does not allow them access to all positions in the government and military.